Becoming a Future-Ready Church
8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Zondervan Reflective (Zondervan)
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
Are Church Leaders Missing the Generational Handoff? There's Still Hope. Are we building institutions that will meaningfully serve the next generation of believers and their leaders? How does a church thrive in a culture where we have to earn credibility? How do we create a sense of belonging to the body of Christ and a strong sense of identity for the next generation? Becoming a Future-Ready Church is a blueprint to guide you through eight critical shifts to help lead your church into the future with wisdom and hope. It describes several major converging trends that will greatly impact the church in America over the next few decades: the Great Resignation of Boomer leaders from churches, the shrinking percentage of Christians in America, and the change in felt needs among rising generations shaped heavily by anxiety, skepticism, and fragmentation. Missiologist and pastor Daniel Yang, religion journalist Adelle Banks, and church researcher Warren Bird have come together in Becoming a Future-Ready Church to help church leaders evaluate whether their ministries are entrenched in strategies that worked well in the past but need to be adapted for the future. By helping us ask better questions about the issues and needs facing the church, they reveal practical ways in which the next generation of church leaders can gain a sturdier foothold as they navigate into the future.
Endorsements (13)
“Becoming a Future-Ready Church is the best comprehensive design book to help leaders fashion the church for the future. For some time, most future-conscious church leaders have known that the church must shift its story, scorecard, stewardship, and structure from church-as-institution to church-as-movement (the kingdom expression). Every movement begins with deconstruction—and we’ve had plenty of that—but now it’s time to put some furniture back in the house.”
“If you’re tired of the usual doom and gloom about the church’s future and looking for fresh voices, research, perspective, and hope for what’s next, you’ll love this book.”
“Becoming a Future-Ready Church challenges us to look beyond treasured modalities by moving past platitudes to take practical steps that ignite hope and inspire action. This book is about leading change. Leading church change is as disruptive as Jesus Christ, who was all about change, jumping the social, political, and religious guard rails of ancient times. He encourages us to do the same even as the tectonic plates of our twenty-first century religious landscape continually shake, rattle, and roll. We need courage to enter this vortex of change. Becoming a Future-Ready Church is an invitation to step boldly now!”
Bishop. Vashti Murphy McKenzie
“As someone who daily must examine the stark reality of the church’s present circumstances while avoiding despair, I thoroughly enjoyed the research-informed yet refreshingly hopeful perspective of Becoming a Future-Ready Church. Every religious leader should wrestle with the authors’ insights and vision of a Spirit-filled path for the church’s future.”
“The authors provide a bridge to the future with biblical precedents and current innovative church examples. They unpack the eight crucial shifts that are already happening on the church landscape and offer insightful questions to help church leaders develop future-ready churches . . . today. Warning: This book is a game changer!”
“Becoming a Future-Ready Church is a must-read for any leader passionate about equipping the next generation. Daniel Yang, Adelle Banks, and Warren Bird provide a visionary roadmap to navigate the shifting landscape of modern ministry. This book is both a call to action and a practical guide for fostering a vibrant, resilient church community.”
“While we can’t see into the future, it’s wise to study cultural trends and learn from thriving churches. Daniel Yang and Warren Bird, renowned researchers on church growth, along with religion journalist Adelle Banks, share valuable insights in Becoming a Future-Ready Church. Their thoughtful approach equips church leaders to innovate prayerfully amidst cultural shifts while staying true to the gospel, ensuring churches continue to impact lives for generations.”
“If you love the church and have hope for its future, this book is an essential read. Yang, Banks, and Bird’s ideas are informed by well-researched analysis and relevant case studies that provide fresh perspectives on how the shifting social structures, culture, and demographics of the United States affect the church. They use these insights, combined with biblically informed missiological thinking, to cast a hopeful and expansive vision for a future church that is more welcoming, restorative, and communal.”
“Becoming a Future-Ready Church takes a thoughtful look at the challenges churches face in a postmodern, post-Christendom world. It gives leaders both data and permission to dream about new ways of being. Even those who don’t share the authors’ theology will find stories and practical advice that will stretch their imaginations beyond what they’ve been taught the church can and should be.”
“Gen Z has to be the most studied generation in human history, and you can get overwhelmed by the nonstop, endless data. Thankfully, the authors concentrate on the underbelly core issues that are repelling the next generation from the church. I’m thankful for their guidance in not just identifying the right problems but giving us direction toward the redemptive alternative that young people long for in church.”
“This book is unusual because it not only brims with hope but is also a highly engaging mix of powerful stories and relevant statistics to challenge the status quo. It shows you a series of crossroads ahead, the ‘why’ behind each issue, and pathways to move forward. But it’s not a book to read alone: it’s designed for discussion between older and younger leaders. So, let this Scripture-rich guide stimulate your joint conversations about how to proceed!”
“Becoming a Future-Ready Church provides vital insights and practical strategies for churches navigating today’s rapidly changing landscape. This book is essential reading for church leaders looking to foster deeper engagement, embrace innovation, and thrive with tools they need to navigate complexities. It’s a timely resource that empowers churches to adapt and grow while staying true to their mission.”
“The next generation is not the greatest threat to the church but rather the greatest invitation to return to the core values the church was always meant to uphold. This book brilliantly demonstrates that invitation and provides leaders with a practical roadmap for their churches. I highly recommend this volume to every church leader committed to reaching and empowering the next generation.”
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